SS7 Simulation & Testing

Simulation Suite for SS7 Calls & Traffic Generation Application Note
Technology Overview SS7 is a globally adopted protocol for out-of-band signaling systems, and supports critical applications such as: interaction with network databases mobile services network maintenance and administration advanced call features such as call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, congestion and priority management, toll-free applications and toll services database information exchange between network elements and wireless services such as wireless roaming and mobile subscriber authentication The network elements involved in SS7 networks, such as SSPs (Signaling Switching Points), STPs (Signaling Transfer Points) and SCPs (Signaling Control Points) are usually connected in a redundant topology to ensure signaling integrity and availability even if one or more signaling links fails.
SS7 is now merging with TCP/IP to allow integration between traditional telephony and Internet-Intranet networks by transporting voice and video in IP packet-based format.

SUNRISE TELECOM

Sunrise Telecom SS7 Simulation Platform Solutions

NeTracker & 3GMaster

The Sunrise Telecom Solution Sunrise Telecom has developed a comprehensive set of emulation suites to test different protocols for PSTN including ISDN, SS7, and Analog. This Application Note addresses the SS7 simulation suite. The current hardware platforms that support the SS7 Simulation suite are: NeTracker / 3GMaster 1000-DX and 6000-QX SS7 Simulation Suite In contrast to other protocol analyzers on the market, Sunrise Telecoms solutions offer not only full-featured protocol analysis, but integrated SS7 simulation as well.

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This allows the user to simulate realistic traffic to run over the network (or equipment) being tested while at the same time monitoring all the traffic and performing measurements such as call tracing, protocol decoding, traffic statistics, Call Details Record (CDR) generation, network traffic analysis and even performance response measurements.
Supported Protocols

Programmable ANSI Carrier Identification Code - Symbolic names for signaling links and for linksets Programmable Call Profiles with: - Traffic type: either Terminated or Originated Calls or both - Call duration - Idle time between Calls - Calls per second - Enable/Disable Service Script function (to generate audio traffic) Random selection of activation-deactivation time User-programmable parameters for the main signaling messages Selectable incoming call behavior

The suite supports the following protocols: ITU/ETSI ISUP ANSI ISUP China ISUP

General Features: capabilities NeTracker, 3GMaster and STT-MSA platforms support the following features: From 1 to 3 E1/T1 trunks From 31 to 99 simultaneous real speech calls Up to 3 programmable Traffic Destinations (OPC-DPC couples) SP-to-SP simulation 3 programmable linksets 56 signaling links per test General Features
Configuration

Thanks to their intuitive and easy-to-use GUIs, configuration of point codes, signaling links, link-sets, called/calling numbers and other parameters necessary to simulate SPs on the NeTracker or STT-MSA takes just a few minutes, rather than hours. The SS7 simulation suite supports the following features: Programmable Phone Numbers per Traffic Destination, on external files National and International call profiles Programmable Release Cause Codes Selectable CIC as Incoming, Outgoing or Bi-directional Sequential or random use of CIC and Phone Numbers Programmable number of calls per second (CPS) per Traffic Destination
Traffic model setup

Simulation Modes The following simulation modes are available: SP Simulation: generates from one to more than two millions ISUP calls per hour to test / stress the signaling elements in an SS7 network. The equipment is wellsuited to test the System under Test (SuT) under virtually any signaling traffic load condition. SP Simulation with Bearer channels (Trunk Tester): allows testing over the signaling and the voice (TDM) channels by sending pre-recorded .wav files over the time slots used as traffic channels or used for sending/receiving tones. User can select and program the Bearer channels. This simulation mode supports from 350,000 to over 1,700,000 calls (with speech) per hour, depending on call duration and the QoS testing performed.

Example of a complex scenario

SS7 Simulation & Testing

Sending Voice: service script function The Service Script function allows users to generate voice traffic using pre-recorded .wav files or customized audio files on the PCM, to simulate real voice conversation or tones (DTMF) generation/reception. The same audio file can be transmitted several times in the same audio call. Audio files can also be transmitted and received back for voice path testing. Voice samples are based on G.711. DTMF tones can be transmitted and received for testing automated voice services.
Intrusive QoS Measurement
Example of a script

Call Detail Record

CDRs are provided for each call generated and/or received. The CDR-to-frame function automatically recovers all the related signaling frames and shows the entire call flow in a graphical format while the Frame-to-CDR function automatically recovers the CDR related to a selected signaling message. Audio Playback function is available for each call for which the recording was enabled.

The Service Script also allows intrusive Quality of Service measurements. Loop-back voice calls are generated so that audio files are sent and then received back. Comparing the source audio files and received audio files, it is possible to evaluate the voice quality using the PESQ algorithm thus providing a MOS score for each call.
Non-Intrusive QoS Measurement Statistics
A CDR and its frames

A complete set of statistics (in tabular and graphical formats) covers all the main protocol events: Signaling messages: a dedicated statistic is provided for every signaling protocol stack (MTP, MTP3, ISUP) Calls: a dedicated statistic allows for call completion analysis Disconnection causes: several dedicated statistics provide reasons why some calls or sessions were not successfully established Signaling links: dedicated statistics provide information on signaling link utilization and physical layer alarms. Graphical display shows status of all signaling links, whether in-service or out-of-service. QoS: statistics on jitter and MOS scores are based on programmable thresholds

The NiQA (Non-intrusive Quality Assessment) algorithm is designed to assess the listening quality of live customer traffic. It is also possible to measure and analyze voice impairments over G.711 voice streams into PCM time slots.

SS7 Simulation Results When the simulation is running, the SS7 simulation suite provides a unique set of analysis tools that includes:
Trace

Protocol Trace with full message decoding, custom trace and graphical ladder diagrams.

Statistics and charts

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Signal Analyzer The Signal Analyzer Package allows post analysis of the audio files recorded over the unit. The package includes: Complete signal spectrum analysis Signal comparison capabilities 3D signal representation Scripting language for programming analysis

Ordering Information
Suites and Protocol Packages
Part Number OPT-SS7-TT Details Signaling Point Emulator with ISUP Call Simulation with Voice Traffic Generation over the Bearer channels. Includes the service script environment to create interactive tones and audio files send and receive sequences

Options
Part Number OPT-PESQ Details Intrusive QoS Analysis based on ITU P.862 (PESQ) algorithm Non-Intrusive Impairments Measurement and Analysis over PSTN (TDM flows) and VoIP (RTP flows) with an algorithm based on Psytechnics technology used in ITU P.563 Signal Analyzer Package for post analysis of the audio files recorded over the unit

Signal Analyzer

Analysis Tools: Filters And Triggers Filters are available for both Trace and CDRs. Any number of filters with multiple conditions can be set. Triggers allow creation of an advanced trap system that combines protocol events, counters and timers. Triggers are easily configured with a graphical editor. Applications The SS7 ISUP Simulation suite has several potential applications for product designers, manufacturers and service providers. The main applications include: NGN switch and Gateway installations Equipment in production environments Call Completion analysis Call Route testing Verification of telephone-matrix: SPs or PBX Testing of VoIP, CTI and SS7 Gateways Perform end-to-end QoS testing by running PESQ algorithms over the sent and received speech files

OPT-NiQA

OPT-SIG-AN

All other suites, protocol packages, options & accessories:

Please contact your local Distributor or Sales Representative.

For more information or a directory of sales offices:

pre-sales.support@sunrisetelecom.it www.sunrisetelecom.com

006 Sunrise Telecom Incorporated. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice. All product and company names are trademarks of their respective corporations. Sunrise Telecom San Jose, Modena, and Taiwan facilities are ISO 9001 certified. Do not reproduce, redistribute, or repost without written permission from Sunrise Telecom. REV.0 July 008